Prodigiosin from Vibrio sp. DSM 14379; A New UV-Protective Pigment

Pigments such as melanin, scytonemin and carotenoids protect microbial cells against the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The role in UV protection has never been assigned to the prodigiosin pigment. In this work, we demonstrate that prodigiosin provides a significant level of protecti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Microbial ecology 2011-10, Vol.62 (3), p.528-536
Main Authors: Borić, Maja, Danevčič, Tjaša, Stopar, David
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Brackish
Carotenoids
Coculture Techniques
Ecology
Environmental Microbiology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Geoecology/Natural Processes
Irradiation
Life Sciences
Microbial Ecology
Microbiology
Mutants
Nature Conservation
Pigments
Pigments, Biological - biosynthesis
Prodigiosin - biosynthesis
Prodigiosin - isolation & purification
Ultraviolet radiation
Ultraviolet Rays
Vibrio
Vibrio - metabolism
Vibrio - radiation effects
Water Quality/Water Pollution
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Summary:Pigments such as melanin, scytonemin and carotenoids protect microbial cells against the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The role in UV protection has never been assigned to the prodigiosin pigment. In this work, we demonstrate that prodigiosin provides a significant level of protection against UV stress in Vibrio sp. DSM 14379. In the absence of pigment production, Vibrio sp. was significantly more susceptible to UV stress, and there was no difference in UV survival between the wild-type strain and non-pigmented mutant. The pigment’s protective role was more important at higher doses of UV irradiation and correlated with pigment concentration in the cell. Pigmented cells survived high UV exposure (324 J/m 2 ) around 1,000-fold more successfully compared to the non-pigmented mutant cells. Resistance to UV stress was conferred to the non-pigmented mutant by addition of exogenous pigment extract to the growth medium. A level of UV protection equivalent to that exhibited by the wild-type strain was attained by the non-pigmented mutant once the prodigiosin concentration had reached comparable levels to those found in the wild-type strain. In co-culture experiments, prodigiosin acted as a UV screen, protecting both the wild-type and non-pigmented mutants. Our results suggest a new ecophysiological role for prodigiosin.
ISSN:0095-3628
1432-184X
DOI:10.1007/s00248-011-9857-0